Machine for weighing, filling, and sealing products into containers



y 1954 s. BIRKLAND ETAL 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERSFiled May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 1 ATTORNEY July 27, 1954 s. BIRKLANDET AL 2,684,803 MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTOCONTAINERS Filed May a, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 2 X H I 119 5' 121 w mi17a! 5 71 if 1 11417; 171 170 l /7/ M w M 197 If! H 4 4 i I 42/ i 15.!J17 TQ f 4 I i 7; 74 7 y M Mr f f6 77 7; I M Z I 4/ 4% y: 47

u a x .94 I i am 3,7191 1& M I @HUUD M m1 E H H I X INVENTORS.

July 27, 1954 Filed May 8, 1951 S. BIRKLAND EI'AL MACHINE FOR WEIGHING,FILLING, AND

SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERS 10 Sheets- Sheet 3- zM 511a,,

aim-,

47' TOP/YE s. BIRKLAND ETAL 2,684,803' MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING,AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERS l0 Sheets-Sheet 4 July 27, 1954Filed May 8, 1951 INVENTORS. J TfZZA/V B/PALA/VO M/IL (0AM M ZUVEZA/VO y1954 s. BIRKLAND ET AL 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERSFiled May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 5 70 SOURCE OF VACUUM INVENTORS.

\\ MALCOAM l4. LOVEZA/Yfi Y y 1954 s. BIRKLAND ET AL. 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND

SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERS l0 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed May 8, 1951 y1954 s. BIRKLAND ETAL 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERSFiled May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 7 Jii M 1 z 115 L114 HZ M 0; 22525,

jjijzi' 1/9117 I 2 6 J 175 g I I w 13/ To JOUZCE or VACUUM "144 AVA July27, 1954 s. BIRKLAND ETAL 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND

SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERS Filed May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 8 70301 1966 INVENTORS. "MM/M Jazz/4w a/eA z 4N0 MAM COLM n4 Lava/1N0 July27, 1954 s. BIRKLAND ETAL 2,684,803

MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERSFiled May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TORS. STELAA/V (Spawn/v0 M/MCOLM n4 401 54/14 0 ATTOF/VEY July 27, 1954 F77 ZZZ s. BIRKLAND ET AL2,684,803 MACHINE FOR WEIGHING, FILLING, AND SEALING PRODUCTS INTOCONTAINERS Filed May 8, 1951 10 Sheets-Sheet 10 Z23 m 4 7;; WK \7 cahmvzmg a Patented July 27, 1954 MACHINE FUR .VEIGHIN G, FILLING, ANDSEALING PRODUCTS INTO CONTAINERS Stellan Birkland, San Francisco, and

Orimla, Calif Loveland, Gan Company, of New Jersey assignors to NewYork, N. Y., a corporation Malcolm W. American Application May 8, 1951,Serial No. 225,086

9 Claims. 1

The present invention relates to machines for weighing, filling andsealing granular products such as coffee or the like into cans orcontainers and has particular reference to devices for weighing andprevacuumizing a charge of the product of a weight predetermined by thecapacity of a container and for filling the vacuumizcd charge into a canor container.

'Ihis is a companion application to co-pending United Statesapplications Serial No. 225,084, filed May 8, 1951, by tellan Birklandon Weighing and Filling Machine, and Serial No. 225,085 filed May 8,1951, by Stellan Eirkland on Transfer Device for PressurizedCompartment.

An object of the invention is the provision in a filling and sealingmachine, of devices wherein a granular product may be measured out intocharges of a wei ht predetermined by the capacity of the cans and thecharges filled into cans, the weighing and the filling being effected asthe cans are passing through the machine in a substantially continuousprocession so that continuous and smooth operation the machine may behad for most efficient results.

Another object is the provision in such a mach ne of devices whereineach charge of the prodafter weighing is prev-aouumized before fillinginto its can so as to increase the efficiency of vacuum fi' lingmachines in which the cans are prevacuuinised before filling.

Another obje t is the provision of a machine wherein the product llinglie-ads are located in a rotatable carrier in be]: operating in a seatsurrounding an opening in a vacuum chamber so that the product can beweighed out side the mach no introduced into the vacuum chamber throughthe heads as the heads rotate with the carrier member.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of a shaker tabl forshaking the product down into compact form in the cans as they advancethrough the machine, wherein the table is given an eccentric motion toeffect proper shaking of the advancing cans.

Another object is the provision in such a machine of novel devices forcontinuously introducing the cans, the covers, and the weighed chargesof the product into a vacuum chamber in the machine and for continuouslydischarging the sealed cans from the chamber without impairing thevacuum continuously "maintained in the vacuum chamber.

Numerous other objects and invention will be apparent as stood from theadvantages of the it is better underfollowing description, which,

with the accompanying a preferred embodiment taken in connectiondrawings, discloses thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a sectional plan view of a machine embodying the instantinvention, with parts broken away;

Figs. 2a and 2b are enlarged sectional views which when taken togetherand abutted along the vertical lines X-X present a longitudinal view ofthe machine as taken substantially along the broken line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3 is a plan View taken substantially along the broken line 33 inFig. 2a, with parts broken away;

Fig. 4 is a schematic plan view of the various gear trains shown at thelower portions of the views disclosed in Figs. 2a and 2b;

5 is a slightly reduced scale sectional view taken substantially alongthe line -5-5 in 3, with parts broken away;

Fig. 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the broken line B-6in Fig. 5, with parts broken away;

Figs. '7 and 8 are enlarged detail views of product weighing devicesshown at the upper left in Fig. 2a, the views illustrating certain of tio m0vable parts in different positions;

Fig. 9 is a plan view taken substantially along the line 9-9 in Fig. 2a,looking upwardly, and with parts omitted;

Fig. 10 is an enlarged plan view taken substantially along the brokenline $5 n 2c;

Fig. 11 is a plan view taken substantially along the line l 1-! l inFig. 2a, with parts broken Fig. 12 is a sectional View taken sub -aalong the line l2!2 in Fig. 11;

Fig. 13 is an enlarged sectional detnl to en substantially along thebroken line l 5 Fig. 1, with parts broken away; and

Fig. 14 is a sectional View taken substantially along the broken line l!4 in with parts broken away.

As a preferred or exemplary embodiment of the instant invention thedrawings illustrate a machine for filling weighed charges of a granularproduct A (Fig. 1) such as coffee or the like into vacuumized cans orcontainers 3 and sealing the filled cans under vacuum wi h covers 0. Insuch a machine the cans B and covers C, moving in a substantiallycontinuous procession, are introduoed into a vacuum overall chamber Dwhich contains a rotary filling mechanism E and a rotary closingmechanism F. By virtue of their introduction into the vacuum chamber Dthe cans B and covers C are exhausted of any trapped air and are thusmade ready for the reception of the weighed charges of the product A.

The product A to be filled into the cans B is weighed out intoindividual charges of a weight, predetermined by the capacity of a can,outside of the vacuum chamber D. Each charge of the product isseparately prevacuumized after weighing to remove any trapped air and isthen introduced into the vacuum chamber and filled into a can and sealedready for shipment or storage.

The vacuum chamber D- forms a major portion of the machine and isenclosed by a housing '25 (Fig. l) which also serves as and constitutesthe main frame of the machine. The interior of this housing 2% whichconstitutes the vacuum chamber D is exhausted of air and is maintai edat a predetermined vacuum by way of a vacuum pipe 2% which leads to anysuitable source of vacuum.

The empty cans B disposed on their sides and rolling in a substantiallycontinuous procession along a runway 2? (Figs. 3, 5 and 6) enter thevacuum chamber D through a rotary inlet valve 28 having a plurality ofspaced can receiving pockets 29. The inlet valve 28 rotates in acylindrical valve seat 36 having a can inlet opening 31 and an outletopening 32. The seat is formed in an offset portion 3a of the vacuumchamber housing 25. The valve 28 is mounted on a horizontally disposedshaft 35 journaled in a bearing 36 formed in the portion 3 of thehousing 25.

Rotation of the inlet valve 28 is effected continuously through a bevelgear 38 which is carried on the valve shaft 35. The gear 33 meshes witha similar bevel gear 33 carried on the upper end of a vertical driveshaft 4| journaled in a pair of spaced bearings d2 formed in the offsetportion 34 of the housing 25. The lower end of the drive shaft illextends through the bottom of the housing 25 and carries a driving gear43 which is continuously rotated through a long gear train disposedbelow the main housing 25 and extending back to a main driving gearassociated with the closing mechanism F. This gear train inciudes anidler gear M (Fig. 4) which meshes with the gear at, a filler drive gear55 (Figs. 4 and 2a), a pair of pinions 46, ii, a gear 8, a pinion 59(Figs. 4 and 2b), a gear 56, and a pinion 5i (Figs. 4 and 2b) which isformed as an integral part of a main driving bevel gear 52 which isdriven in any suitable manner.

Hence through this continuously connected and operating gear train, thecan inlet valve 28 is continuously rotated within its seat 3% in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in Fig. 6 and thus keeps the vacuumchamber D sealed against the entrance of outside air except thenegligible quantity that enters with incoming cans. By virtue of thisrotation of the valve 28, each valve pocket 2?; as it approaches theinlet opening 3! in the housing 25, receives a can B from the runway 2;and carries it through substantially 180 into the vacuum chamber D.

Within the chamber D the entered can falls from the pocket 29 of theinlet valve and is received in a vertical runway 55 (Figs. 5 and 6)comprising spaced and parallel guide rails supported by attachment tothe valve seat 38. The runway 55 guides the still horizontally disposedcans B into spaced pockets 5? of a bevel transfer turret 58 (see alsoFig. 1) disposed at an angle of 45 with its outer pocketed peripheryadjacent the lower or discharge end of the runway 55.

The bevel turret 58 is mounted on a drive shaft 5% which is journaled ina pair of spaced bearings 81 formed within and as an integral part ofthe housing 25. The shaft 59 is disposed at an angle of 45 relative tothe drive shaft ii and is continuously rotated from the shaft 41 throughthe medium of a bevel gear 62 carried on the shaft and meshing with abevel gear 63 carried on the turret shaft 59 between the bearings 6|.

The continuously rotating bevel transfer turret 58 carries each pocketedcan B through an arc of substantially and in so doing turns the cansfrom their originally received horizontal position into a verticalposition with their open ends upwardly for filling and subsequentclosing. Curved guide rails 65, forming continuaticns of the runway 55,follow the outer contour of the bevel transfer turret 5t and hold thereceived cans B in their turret pockets 5'5 during their travel with thetransfer turret. By virtue of their travel with the transfer turret 58within the vacuum chamber D, the empty incoming cans B are freed orexhausted of any air that may still be trapped within them. The transferturret 58 places the empty vacuumized cans in the filling mechanism E.

The filling mechanism E (Fig. 2a) is a rotatable structure, partiallylocated within the vacuum cham er D and is supported principally upon astationary vertical cylindrical column ll which extends up from thebottom of the housing 25. The lower portion of the column ii is formedwith a shoulder 72 which supports a horizontally disposed rotatablefilling turret is (see also Fig. 1) having a plurality of can pockets l4spaced around its outer periphery. The outer periphery of the fillingturret i3 is adjacent and substantially tangent to the outer peripheryof the bevel transfer turret 58. It is these pockets l5. that receivethe empty cans B in upright filling position from the bevel transferturret 58 as mentioned above. For this latter purpose the filling turretis is continuously rotated in time with the bevel transfer turret 53through a spur gear 16 (Fig. 2a) which is formed integrally with andlocated immediately below the filling turret. The gear 16 meshes withand is driven by a pinion ll mounted on a short vertical shaft '53iournaled in a bearing is formed in the bottom of the housing 25. Theshaft extends below the housing 25 and carries the pinion it which is apart of the driving gear train hereinbefore mentioned.

As an empty vacuumized can B is transferred from the bevel transferturret 58 to the filling turret "53 it leaves the guide rails 55 andrides onto and along a vibrator or shaker table 82 (Figs. 1, 2a, 11 and12) which is provided to vibrate the cans during the filling operationto insure proper settling of the product into the cans so that theproduct does not extend above the top of the cans where it wouldinterfere with the covers C when the latter are applied and sealed inplace. The table 82 preferably is formed in the shape of a ring orannulus and its flat top surface is formed with a wide groove 83 definedby a pair of spaced and concentric vertical shoulders or guide rails 3dproviding a shallow horizontal circular runway for confining and guidingthe cans B as they are propelled along the table by the filling turretE3. A portion of the outer guide rail 84 is cut away as best shown inFig. ll to permit of receiving and discharging the cans from the table.

The bottom face of the annular table 82 is flat and rests upon anannular support 56 which extends up from the bottom of the main housing25. The ring table 82 is rapidly slid or vibrated in a horizontaldirection and with an eccentric motion on the support t5 through avertical, rotatable vibrator shaft 38 (Figs. 11 and 12) carried in abearing I38 formed on the support The upper end of the vibrator shaft 38is formed with a vibrator pin 9! which is located in an eccentricposition relative to the axis of the shaft. This pin BI extends into abearing 92 formed in the table.

The lower end of the shaft 88 carries a pinion 93 which meshes with andis rotated by an idler gear 94 (see also Figs. 2a and 4) mounted on ashort shaft 95 journaled in bearings formed in the bottom structure ofthe housing 25. The short shaft 85 also carries a pinion 97 which mesheswith and is driven by the gear 45 which is part of the driving geartrain hereinbefore mentioned. Through this gear connection the vibratorshaft 38 is rotated rapidly and its eccentrically located pin ill,bearinged in the ring table 82, thus vibrates the table. The ring tableis loosely anchored on the support 86, at a point diametrically oppositethe eccentric pin SI by a stationary pin 58 (Figs. 11 and 12) whichextends up from the support 36 and projects into a slot 99 formed in thering table.

As the cans B are advanced along the shaker table 52 in spaced and timedorder by the filling turret I3, the product A is weighed out intoindividual charges of a predetermined weight, and the charges areindividually vacuumized before being filled into the moving cans. Theproduct weighing operation is effected in the open air outside of thevacuum chamber D while the filling operation is efiected within thechamber. The product prevacuumizing operation is brought aboutimmediately prior to the introduction of the weighed charges of theproduct into the vacuum chamber D. These operations are effected in timewith the travel of the cans and are performed by devices forming partsof the filling mechanism E. These parts rotate concentrically around thestationary column II and are sup ported principally on a centrallylocated vertical driving sleeve Id! (Fig. 2a) which is journaled inbearings I 02 formed as integral extensions of column ll.

The lower reduced end of the sleeve iBI extends below the bottom of thehousing 25 and carries the gear 45 which is a part of the driving geartrain hereinbefore described. The gear 45 rotates the sleeve IQI. Theupper end of the sleeve extends above the bearing I82 and is providedwith a flange I533 which supports a circular filler head spider orcarrier member I94 (see also Fig. 3) which rotates with the sleeve. Thecarrier member I64 rotates in a cylindrical seat 5&5 formed in thehousing 25 and thus provides a hermetic barrier between the outside airand the vacuumized interior of the chamber D. The top of the carriermember I34 supports an annular plate I Ill which in turn supports ahollow pedestal ms. The plate I51 and the pedestal I08 are mountedconcentric with the axis of the sleeve IEII and are secured together andto the sleeve so as to rotate as a unitary structure. The top of thepedestal I53 is secured to a hopper or reservoir m9 which rotatesconcentrically with the sleeve IEII and which contains the product A tobe weighed into individual charges to be filled into the moving cans Bwithin the vacuum chamber D.

The weighing of the product A into the indifiller driving 6 vidualcharges for filling into the cans B is effected preferably by aplurality of weighing devices G (Figs. 2a, '7 and 8) which are locatedimmediately below the hopper I I39. There is one weighing device G foreach pocket 74 of the filling turret I3 and each device is disposed invertical alignment with its turret pocket. Each device G includes aproduct dispensing nozzle III! which depends from the bottom of thehopper I09 and which communicates with an opening I I3 in the bottom ofthe hopper. There is one opening H3 for each weighing device.

The lower end of the nozzle I I2 is shaped as an inverted cone and itsoutwardly facing wall is formed with a dispensing slot [I5 which isnormally closed by a hinged trap door H6 as shown in Fig. 8. The upperend of the door H6 is mounted on a pivot pin II'I carried in lugs H8formed on the nozzle.

This upper end of the door is also formed with an outwardly projectingarm I19 which carries a cam roller I2 I disposed in a path of travelintersected by a short stationary cam I 22 (see also Fig. 3) mounted ona post I23 extending up from the main housing 25. The cam I22 is locatedin a predetermined position relative to the travel of an empty can Badvanced by the filling turret 73, preferably as near as possible to theentrance of the can into the turret, as shown in Fig. 3.

Engagement of the cam roller I2I with the cam I22 as the roller passethe cam, lifts the roller and thus rocks the arm I I8 upwardly. Thisaction swings the trap door I I6 downwardly into an open position, asshown in Fig. 7. The door opens against the resistance of a spring I25which is stretched between the door and a pin secured in the outer wallof the nozzle. In opening, the free lower edge of the door IIB slidesalong a locking finger I2? which is mounted on a pivot pin I28 carriedin lugs E29 formed on the back of the nozzle H2. When the door is fullyopen it rides off of the finger and the finger snaps under the door asshown in Fig. 7 and holds it open after the cam roller I2I rides off ofthe cam I 22.

The opening of the trap door H6 permits the granular product A in thehopper I 09 to discharge from the open dispensing slot H5 of the nozzleH2. The discharging product fiows into a weighing bucket I3I which isdisposed directly below the nozzle I I2 in vertical alignment therewith.There is one weighing bucket I3I for each nozzle for weighing out acharge of the product for filling into one of the empty vacuumized cansB in the filling turret I3. Each weighing bucket I3I is connected by apair of pivot pins I32 (Figs. '7 and 8) to the outer bifurcated end of aweighing beam I33 balanced on a knife edge I34 supported on a bracketI35 secured to the plate IHI. The inner end of the weighing beam I33carries an adjustable weight I36 which is adjusted to compensate for theweight of the bucket I3I and to terminate the flow of the product fromthe nozzle I I2 into the weighing bucket when a charge of apredetermined weight of the product has been received in the bucket.

Cutting oif of the flow of the product into the weighing bucket I3I iseiTected preferably through a pair of links I38 disposed one on eachside of the nozzle IIZ. These links have elongated slots I 39 in theirlower ends. The bucket pivot pins I32 are of sufficient length to extendinto the slots in these links. The upper ends of the links are pivotallyconnected to a pair of arms I il which are secured to the pivot pin I28of the looking finger I21, the arms MI, the pin I28 and the 7. finger[2! being secured together in a predeter mined relation to act as aunitary structure. The slots 139 in the link i38 are of just sufificientlength to permit the bucket pivot pin I32 to engage the links at theupper ends of the slots as shown in Fig. 7 to hold the locking fingeri2! up, in looking position when the empty weighing bucket itl iscounterbalanced by the weight Ice. The lower extremities of the slotsare disposed so that the bucket pivot pin E32 will engage the links atthe bottoms of the slots when the bucket i3i has received the fullcharge of the product and tilted the balance beam 633 as shown in Fig.8.

Hence when a sufficient quantity of the product A has discharged fromthe nozzle H2 into the weighing bucket i3! so as to constitute a productcharge of a predetermined weight, the product charge tilts the balancebeam H33 and simultaneously draws down on the link iSS. This pulling onthe link, draws down on the arm MI and thus swings the locking pin 52?away from the trap door H6 of the nozzle ii2 (see Fig. 8). This releasesthe door 3 '5 and the spring I thereupon snaps it shut, thereby cuttingofi any further how of the product from the nozzle. This completes theweighing operation and the entire quantity of the product A received inthe weighing bucket it! constitutes the product charge to be filled intothe cans B. This weighing operation takes place while the hopper Hit,the attached nozzle 1 i2 and the weighing bucket iiii are moving withthe aligned cans B in the filling turret 73.

As soon as the product charge has been weighed out, it is immediatelydischarged from the weighing bucket it! through the bottom of the bucketwhich is normally closed by a hinged bottom plate Hi l (Figs. 7 and 8).The plate adjacent one edge is mounted on a pivot pin M5 carried insupport lugs which extend out from the bucket. Adjacent the pivot pin,the bottom plate M is formed with a short arm M5, the outer end of whichis connected to a vertically disposed piston rod M7. The rod l llextends up into a cylinder i iii attached to the back of the weighingbucket. Within the cylinder the rod i ll carries a piston 9 39. Acompression spring 555 interposed between the top of the piston Hi9 andthe upper end Wall of the cylinder his maintains a downward pressure onthe piston and keeps the bottom plate i4 3 normally closed as shown inFig. '7.

Swinging of the bottom plate M4 into open position, as shown in Fig. 8,to discharge the weighed charge or" the product A from the bucket,preferably is effected by fluid pressure, such as a vacuum created inthe cylinder its abovethe piston Mil. For this purpose, the interior ofthe upper end of the cylinder Hi8 is connected by a flexible tube E53(Fig. 7) to a radial bore ibfi formed in the ring it)? which rotateswith the vertical driving sleeve Hi. There is one bore I55 in the ringit? for each weighing bucket it i. The inner ends of these bores its areconnected by pipes ice (see also Fig. 2a) which extend down through thedriving sleeve iiii to a rotatable valve head 15? secured to androtating with the lower end of the sleeve. This valve head i5? is formedwith a flat lower face which seats against and rotates on a similar fiatface of stationary valve head I58 (Fig. 2a) secured to the bottomstructure or" the vacuum chamber housing 25.

At the rotatable valve head i5i, the lower ends of the pipes Hi5terminate in communication with radial bores I59 formed in the head andextending out to the hat face of the head. The terminal ends of thesebores i59 are arranged'in a circle concentric with the axis of thesleeve I01 and are adapted to rotate into register with a shortvacuumiaing groove it! (Fig. 10) and a long separate vent groove H32formed in the flat face of the stationary valve head I555. TheVacuumizing groove lei is connected by continuing vertical andhorizontal channels IE3 in the stationary valve head, to a lead-in pipe164 which leads from any suitable source of vacuum. The vent groove ifizis connected by similar continuing vertical and horizontal channels 65in the stationary valve head which lead to the outside atmosphere.

Hence when a bore :59 of the rotating valve head E51 comes into registerwith the short vacuumizing groove I5! of the stationary valve head i53,a direct line of communication is established through the associatedpipe i56 with the interior of the upper portion of the cylinder M8 andthis creates a vacuum in the cylinder sufficient to move the piston itsupwardly against the force of the spring 55L This upward movement of thepiston opens the bottom plate I44 of the bucket iti and permits theweighed charge of the product A to discharge from the bucket. Bycomparing the location of the vacuumizing groove 55! in 10 with thelocation of the entrance of the empty cans B into the filling turret asshown in Fig. 1, it will be noted that this discharge or" the weighedproduct is effected before the cans enter the filling turret for thepurpose of allowing sufficient time to prevacuumize the product beforeit enters the cans as will be hereinafter explained.

The bottom plate its oi the weighing bucket 53* remains open asufficient time to insure full discharge of the weighed product and thenthe bore 359 moves out or" register with the vacuum groove lei and movesinto register with the vent groove 562. The bore E59 remains in registerwith this vent groove 52 for the remainder of the cycie of operation ofthe machine until the next vacuumizing operation is required. When thebore 559 comes into register with this'vent groove I62, the interior ofthe upper portion of the cylinder M8 is vented to the outside atmospherethrough the flexible tube {53, pipe I56, bore 559, groove 52, and thevent bores H55 in the stationary valve head i58. This breaks the vacuumin the cylinder and permits the spring lili to close the bottom plate ii i oi the bucket 531 for a subsequent weighing operation. A vent portit! (Figs. '7 and S) in the bottom of the cylinder M8 provides forventing the air from the cylinder during the downward movement of thepiston.

The weighed charge of the product A upon being discharged from theweighing bucket l3! falls into a prevacuurnizing and filling head Hi(Figs. 2c and 3) which is located directly under the bucket in verticalalignment with the bucket and the empty can B in the filling turret 33.There is one of these prevacuumizing and filling heads iii for each canpocket is of the filling turret l3 and they are carried in the rotatingcarri r member its in a-circle concentric with the axis of the carriermember.

Each prevacuumizing and filling head 11 l comprises a prevacuumizingbell H2 formed at its upper or entrance end with a cylindrical valveseat it for a lift valve 57%. Above the seat I73 the bell is formed witha flaring hopper I15 to receive the weighed charge of the product A. Thelift valve I'M is carried on the inner end of a horizontal lever I16which projects through the side of the receiving hopper I15.Intermediate its ends the lever is mounted on a pivot pin secured inlugs on the side of the hopper. The outer end of the lever carries a camroller I'll, which during a portion of the cycle of operation of themachine engages under a stationary track [78 (see Figs. 3 and 2a)secured to the outside of the main housing 25. The location of thistrack and its length substantially coincides with the location andlength of the vacuumizing groove Iti (Fig. 10) in the stationary valvehead I58 so that the track will open the lift valve I'M at substantiallythe same time that the bottom plate I44 of the weighing bucket BI isopen so that the weighed charge of product will fall from the bucket,through the receiving hopper l ":5 and open lift valve I'M directly intothe prevacuum izing bell H2.

As soon as the charge of product is received in the prevacuumizing bellI72, the lift valve I'Hl closes against its seat I13 and thushermetically seals the top of the bell against the entrance of outsideair. The product charge is retained in the bell by a normally closedfilling valve I8I (Figs. 2a and 9) which is located adjacent the bottomof the bell. The filling valve ISI is cylindrical in shape and isrotatably disposed in a horizontal position in a bearing 82 formed. atthe bottom of the prevacuumizing bell H2. The valve is provided with atransverse elongated dispensing opening I83 adapted to alignsimultaneously with the bottom of the prevaouumizing bell H2 and a portI84 in the bearing I82 when the valve is turned into open position todischarge the product from the bell into a can B to be filled. Thisvalve normally is closed to prevent the entrance of air into the vacuumchamber D during the charging of the Weighed product into the bell H2.

The filling valve I8I is rotated in its bearing I82 by a bevel gear i86which is mounted on an axially projecting stern I8'i of the valve. Thegear meshes with a bevel gear I88 mounted on a stub shaft I39 threadedinto the carrier member I3 1. The gear IE8 is formed integrally with anarm [ill having a cam roller I 9.2 which opcrates in a cam groove I93 ofa stationary cam E94 carried on the upright column '5 i. The cam grooverocks the arms IEH as the carrier member Hi4 rotates relative to thestationary cam I94 and thus opens and closes the filling valves I8! atthe proper time as will be more fully explained hereinafter.

While the product charge is in a prevacuumizing bell H2, with the toplift valve lid and the filling valve 585 closed, the product and theinterior of the hell are prevacuumized to exhaust any trapped air toprevent this air from entering the vacuum chamber D. This prevacuumizingoperation is efiected primarily to maintain a constant degree of vacuumwithin the vacuum chamber D. The prevacuumizing operation is effected atthe proper time through a flexible tube 265 (Fig. 2a) which connects theinteriorof the prevacuumizing bell I12 adjacent its upper end with aradial bore 252 in the ring I6? supported on the carrier member H14 (seealso Fig. 7). The inner end of the radial bore 2 32 is connected by apipe 283 to continuing bores 23% in the rotary valve head 55'! (see alsoFig. 19).

There are a plurality of these bores 262, pipes 233. and bores 204, oneset for each prevacuumizing bell I72 and they terminate at the fiat faceof the rotary valve head in a circle concentric with the axis of thedriving sleeve Illl. The terminal ends of the bores 2134 are adapted torotate into register with a vacuumizing groove 2% (Fig. 10) and aventing groove 2t; formed in the flat face of the stationary valve headI58. The vacuumizing groove 2% communicates by way of a short bore 238with the lead-in pipe led and is thus exhausted of air by the source or"vacuum connecting with the pipe. In a similar manner the venting groove297, through a connecting bore 2:33 is in communication with the ventbore I55.

Hence, as soon as the lift valve PM of a prevacuumizing bell I l2 closesand seals the weighed charge of the product A in the bell, theassociated bore 284 in the rotary valve head I51 comes into registerwith the vaouumizing groove 2 36 in the stationary valve head I58, andestablishes communication through the pipe 233, ring bore 292, andflexible tube 203, between the prevacuumizing bell I12 and the source ofvacuum. A vacuum is thus drawn on the bell and the individual productcharge therein and thus any trapped air is removed from the bell and theproduct. This prevacuumizing operation continues for approximately 60degrees of rotation of the carrier member I84, as measured by the lengthof the vacuumizing groove in Fig. 10, and then the bore 264 rotates outor" register with the vacuumizing groove and thus cuts off the source ofvacuum.

With the product charge and the bell 5'52 prevacuumized, the charge isready for filling into the empty vacuumized can B in a pocket I4 of thefilling turret H3. The closed filling valve IBI at the bottom of theprevacuumizing and filling head ii! is now rotated by the cam grooveI93, into open position as shown at the left in Fig. 2a, as hereinbeforeexplained. This permits the individually weighed and individuallyvacuurnized product charge to flow from the bell Ill 2 into the waitingand vibrating can B. To insure that all of the weighed charge of theproduct is discharged into the can B, the filling operation takes placeover nearly 186 of rotation of the carrier member ic l. Upon completingthis cycle, the filling valve IEI closes to preserve the vacuumcondition in the vacuum chamber D and then the vacuum within the bell H2is broken by virtue of its associated bore 2% coming into register withthe venting groove 2%? in the stationary valve head I555. The lift valveH4 is thereupon opened to receive a subsequent product charge foranother can B.

As soon as the filling valve it! closes, and while the filled can B withits product charge remains in the vacuum chamber 3, the can is removedfrom its pocket 74 in the filling turret l3 and is advanced to meet acover C in readiness for closing. Removal of the filled can B from theturret is efiected by a transfer device J of the character disclosed inUnited States Patent 2,293,306 issued October 13, 1942 to R. E. J.Nordquist on Vacuum Can Closing Machine. Such a transfer devicecomprises a plurality of half moulds 252 (Fig. 1) pivotally connected toa rotatable disc 253 at spaced intervals adjacent the periphery of thedisc. The moulds are secured to cam actuated arms 2H; which accelerateand decelerate the moulds to pick up a filled can B and deliver it intothe closing machine F in time with the operation of the latter machine.The disc Bi is mounted on a vertical shaft 2i5 (see also Fig. 4) whichis rotateo. in time with the other moving parts of the machine by a gear2l6 which meshes with the gear 38 of the main driving gear trainhereinbefore mentioned.

The moulds 2| 2 pass adjacent the path of travel of the cans in thefilling turret it in time with this turret and engage around a can to betransferred as shown in Fig. 1. As the mould advances with the can, thecan engages and is swept out of its turret pocket M by a curved guiderail 2 I? which is disposed adjacent the outer periphery of the disc 2 I3 and which retains the can in its mould. The mould thereafter sweepsthe can 01f the shaker table 82 onto and along a short support table 218which leads to the closing machine F.

thereto. This is brought about by a cover feed mechanism K (Figs. 1, l3and 14) which is dispose adjacent the transfer device J partially withinthe vacuum chamber D and partially outside the chamber.

The covers C are received from any suitable source of supply outside thechamber D and in an upside down position resting on their flanges sothat the inside of the cover, if coated, will not be scratched. They arefed in spaced and timed order in a substantially continuous processionalong a runway 22! comprising a pair of spaced and parallel guide rails222 secured to the outside of the housing 25. The covers are advanced bya reciprocating stroke bar 223 having spring pressed feed dogs 224. Thestroke bar operates in a slideway 225 formed in the base of the runway.and is reciprocated in any suitable manner in time with the othermoving parts of the machine.

The cover runway 22! terminates adjacent an entrance opening 221 formedin the vacuum chamber housing 25 and through which the covers C arepassed into the chamber D by the stroke bar 223. Within the vacuumchamber D the entrance opening 221 is shielded by an intermitterltlyrotatable valve 23! (Figs. 13 and 14) disposed in a close fittingcylindrical seat 232 formed in a valve casing 233 secured to the insideof the housing 25 around the entrance opening 22?. an opening 234 whichaligns with the entrance opening 22'? in the housing for passage of acover into the valve.

A cover C passed through these openings 22'1'. 23 i is received in theuppermost of a pair of spaced and parallel horizontal slots 23B, 23?formed in the valve in an off set location relative to the axis of thevalve, one above and one below the axis of the valve as shown in Figs.13 and 14. These slots extend from the outer periphery of the valveinwardly a distance slightly greater than the diameter of the cover, andin width extend from one side of the valve to the other. The slots areslightly thicker than the thickness of a cover so as to eliminate anyexcess looseness of the cover in the slots.

When a cover C is received in the upper slot 236, the valve 23! isrotated through an arc of 180. This rotation of the valve swings theupper slot 236 and its cover C upwardly and q thence downwardly into theposition of the lower slot 237 as viewed in Fig. 13 while blocking theentrance openings 221, 234 to prevent entrance of outside air into thechamber, .and simultaneously turns the cover right side up into properThe valve casing 233 is provided with position forapplication to thecane; Thecovr C is now adjacent an opening 238 in the valve casing 233and this opening is in communication with the vacuum chamber D. In thismanner the cover is introduced into the chamber without admitting anappreciable amount of air into the chamber. The slot 237 in the valve isalso in position adjacent the housing opening 22'! and the casingopening 23 5 for the reception of another cover C.

While the valve 223i is at rest between its intermittent rotations, thecover C introduced into the vacuum chamber D is swept laterally out ofits slot 235 (now in the position of the lower slot 231) and advancedalong a curved guide rail 26! (Figs. 1, 13 and 14) which extends fromthe valve 23! toward the path of travel of the filled cans B beingadvanced by the transfer moulds 252. The guide rails terminate adjacentthe outer ends of the moulds. overlapping the path of travel of the cansand in horizontal alignment with a cover seat or ledge 252 formed in themoulds above and concentric with the cans in the moulds. The guide rail2%! is provided with a pair of broad horizontally spaced and parallelupper and lower confining and supporting walls 243 connected by an outercurved guide wall 24 the space between the horizontal walls 2% beingonly slightly greater than the thickness of the cover to fully supportand confine the cover.

A cover thus swept out of its valve slot 236 and along the guide rail Eli moved toward an advancing filled can B in .a transfer mould 2|2 andis deposited in the mould on its cover seat 242 in a position slightlyabove and in vertical alignment with the filled can. This advancement ofthe cover preferably is effected by a double end, horizontal transferfinger 245 which is disposed in a plane which coincides with the lowerslot position of the cover valve 231 and with the space between thehorizontal walls 2 13 of the guide rail 2 H. This finger 25:5intermediate its ends is mounted on a continuously rotating shaft 2 3'!iournaled in a bearing 2% formed in a bracket 2% which extends up fromthe bottom of the vacuum housing 25.

The rotation of the transfer finger 245 is eiiected in timed relationwith the intermittent rotation of the valve 2M so that the finger willpass through the slots 23%, 23? when they are in the lower slotposition, and both of these are rotated in timed relation with theadvancement of the transfer moulds 252 so that a cover will be properlysuperimposed upon a filled can. For this purpose the transfer finger 25$and the valve 23! are driven from the transfer mould driving gear 2%(Fig. e) which in turn is driven from the gear 33 of the main drivinggear train located in the bottom structure of the housing The gear 256meshes with and drives a pair of meshing pinions 25!, (Fig. i) carriedon vertical shafts 253, 254 journaied in suitable bearings secured tothe housing 25. The pinion Z52 meshes with and drives a gear 255 carriedon the transfer finger shaft 22? and it is this gear that rotates thefinger 225.

The cover valve 23! is intermittently rotated by a helical gear 25?(Figs. 4, l3 and 14) which is carried on the vertically disposedtransfer finger shaft 24?. The helical gear 25? meshes with and drives asecond helical gear 253 mounted on a short horizontally disposed Genevaactuating shaft 253 journaled in a pair of spaced bearings 2ti projectedfrom the inside of the housing 25. One end of the Geneva actuating shaft259 carries a disc 262 having secured thereto a Geneva actuating roller263 and a Geneva locking member 264. As the disc 2E2 rotatescontinuously, the roller 2% engages in spaced radial slots 2% of aconventional Geneva wheel 28'; mounted on a horizontal Geneva shaft 253to rotate the shaft intermittently. The usual locking recesses 269formed in the Geneva wheel co-operate with the locking member 254 in theconventional manner to hold the Geneva wheel stationary between itsintermittent partial rotations.

The Geneva shaft 258 is journaled in a bearing 21] which extends outfrom the main housing 25. Beyond the bearin the shaft 263 carries a gear2'12 which meshes with a pinion 273 mounted on one end of a valve shaft2M- which extends through the axis of the cover valve 23! and on whichthe valve rotates. The valve shaft 2'54 is journaled in bearings formedin end plates 2'i5 of the valve casing 233. It is through this train ofgears and the Geneva mechanism explained above that the cover valve 235and the transfer finger 246 are operated in timed order to introduce acover C into the vacuum chamber D and to advance it into superimposedposition on a filled can B.

The can B after receiving its cover C continues to advance toward theclosing mechanism F. During this travel, a curved guide rail 2??(Fig. 1) holds the cover C in place in its seat 242 in its mould 2E2.Upon approachingthe closing mechanism F, the mould 212 deposits the canB and its cover C into respective vertically aligned pockets 28], 282(Fig. 2b) of a rotating turret 283 of the closing mechanism.

The closing mechanism F is a conventional mechanism of the characterdisclosed in United States Patent 2,039,338 issued May 5, 1936 to R. E.J. Nordquist et al. on Vacuum Closing Machine. In the instant inventionthe entire closing mechanism F is disposed within the vacuum chamber Dso that the closing of the cans B is effected in the same vacuum inwhich the empty cans B and the covers C are introduced for vacuumizing,filling and assembling.

In such a closing mechanism F, the can and cover turret 283 is carriedon a vertically disposed rotatable sleeve structure 284 (Fig. 2b) whichjournaled in a lower bearin 285 in the bottom of the housing and anupper bearing 285 secured in the top of the housing 25. This sleevestructure 234 is rotated continuously by a gear 287 which meshes withthe pinion 49 of the main driving gear train at the bottom of thehousing 25. Besides the turret 29.3, the sleeve structure 284 carries alifter disc 288 having conventional lifter pads 239 and a gear casing2e! having conventional rotatabl closing heads 292 equipped with chucks293 and seamin rollers 23 All these members rotate with the sleevestructure, the seaming heads 292 being located above and in verticalalignment with the pockets 235 in the turret 283 and the lifter pads 289being located below and in vertical alignment with the pockets. Thelifter pads are raised and lowered by cam rollers 296 which ride on astationary cam track 29'! secured to the bottom of the housing 25.

The seaming heads 292 are rotated on their own axes by difierentialgears 39!, 3222 which mesh with driving gears 363, 304 mounted on theupper end of a vertical drive shaft 3% which is disposed within thesleeve structure 2&4. At its lower end the drive shaft 305 carries thebevel ear 52 which is the main drivin gear of the machine ashereinbefore mentioned.

Hence when a can B and its, superimposed cover C are introduced into thepockets 28L 282 of the turret 283 of the closing mechanism, the canrides oil" of the table 258 of the transfer device and moves intoposition on a lifter pad 289 of the closing mechanism. The turret 28sand the lifter pad 289 pick up the can and its cover as the turret andpad rotate through a curved path of travel with the sleeve structure284. Along this path of travel, the lifter pad 289 lifts the can up intoengagement with its cover and then continues to lift both the can andits cover up into the seaming head 292. The chuck 293 of the head clampsthe cover on the can and the seaming rollers rotate around the edge ofthe clamped cover an permanently seam it fast to the can. The lifterthereupon lowers the closed and sealed can to its original level fordischarge from the closin mechanism. This is a conventional can closingoperation as practiced in the machine disclosed in the above mentionedNordquist Patent 2,039,338 and many other closing machines.

Discharge of the sealed can B from the closing mechanism F preferably iseifected by a multipronged star wheel 308 (Figs. 1 and 2b) which isdisposed adjacent the path of travel of the cans in the closingmechanism turret 283. The star wheel 308 is mounted on the upper end ofa vertical shaft 309 (see also Fig. 4) driven by a gear 3! I whichmeshes with and is driven by the closing mechanism sleeve gear 287. Thusthe star wheel is driven in time with the turret 283. The rotating starwheel 398 engages a sealed can B ready to be discharged from the turret2i53 and in co-operation with a set of guide rails 3 i 2 between whichthe can passes, removes the can from its turret pocket 28!.

After removal of the can from its turret pocket, the star wheel propelsthe can along the guide rails 312 toward an exit valve 335. Therepreferably are four guide rails Eli! and they are twisted in such amanner, as best shown in Fig. l, as to rotate or turn the can as itadvances along the rails, from a vertical or upright position into ahorizontal position so the can may roll on its side out of the machine.The guide rails 312 terminate adjacent the exit valve M5.

The exit valve 355 is a cylindrical valve having spaced peripheralpockets 356 (Fig. 2b) adapted to receive a sealed can B. The valvemounted on a continuously rotating shaft 3!! and rotates in acylindrical seat 3i3 formed in a valve housing block 3!?) as a part ofthe housing 25. The shaft is rotated by a bevel gear 322i (Fig. 1) whichis carried on the shaft and which meshes with a similar bevel gear 322carried on the upper end of a vertical shaft 323. At its lowor end theshaft 323 carries a gear 324 (see Figs. 2b and 4) which meshes with andis driven by the star wheel driving gear 34 i.

The valve block 3E9 at its upper end adjacent the terminal ends of theguide rails 3 2 is formed with a can entrance opening 325 for thetransfer of a closed can B from the guide rails 32! in to a pocket 316of the rotating valve 3 55. A can so received in a valve pocket 356 iscarried by the valve toward the bottom of the valve block 319 anddischarged from the pocket through an exit opening 32"! in the bottom ofthe block. Thus the closed can is discharged from the machine withoutadmitting any appreciable amount of air into the vacuum chamber D. Thedischarged can B falls into a discharge runway 328 (Fig. 2b) disposedadjacent the block exit opening 321 and which directs the closed can toany suitable place of deposit.

It is thought that the invention and many of its attendant advantageswill be understood from the foregoing description, and it will beapparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction andarrangement of the parts without departing from the spirit and scope ofthe invention or sacrificing all of its material advantages, the formhereinbefore described being merely a preferred embodiment thereof.

We claim:

1. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing them in cans, the combination of a housing enclosinga vacuumized chamber for receiving and vacuumizing an empty can to befilled with a said charge, a weighing device carried by said housing onthe exterior of said chamber for weighing out an individual productcharge of a weight predetermined by the capacity of a said can, aproduct prevacuumizing and filling head disposed partially within andpartially outside of said chamber adjacent said weighing device forreceiving an individual weighed charge of the product dischargedtherefrom, a lift valve in the portion of said head outside of saidchamber for sealing said individual product charge in said head toexclude outside air from said head and from said chamber, cam means foractuating said lift valve, means communicating with said head forprevacuumizing the product charge sealed in said head, valve means forcontrolling the prevacuumizing of said product charge in said head, arotary valve in the portion of said head within said chamber fordischarging the prevacuumized product charge into the can within saidchamber, cam means for actuating said rotary valve, and actuating meansfor effecting relative movement in timed relation of said firstmentioned cam means and said lift valve, said valve means and said head,and said second mentioned cam means and said rotary valve, whereby toeffect the opening and closing of said valves and the prevacuumizing ofsaid product charge in said head in proper synchronized sequence.

2. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing them in cans, the combination of a housing enclosinga vacuumized chamber for receiving and vacuumizing empty cans to befilled with a said charge, said housing having a circular openingsurrounded by a seat, a rotatable carrier member disposed within saidseat for hermetically sealing said chamber, means for rotating saidcarrier member in its seat, a weighing device carried by and disposedabove said carrier member outside of said chamber for weighing out anindividual product charge of a weight predetermined by the capacity of asaid can, a prevacuumizing and filling head mounted in said carriermember and disposed partially within and partially outside of saidchamber between the latter and said weighing device for receiving anindividual weighed product charge therefrom, means for sealing saidindividual product charge in said head to exclude outside air from saidhead and from said chamber, means communicating with said head forprevacuumizing the product charge while sealed in said head, means insaid head for discharging the prevacuumized product charge from saidhead into a can within said chamber, means for advancing the can withinsaid chamber through a circular path of travel in vertical alignmentwith said head, a circular horizontal table having peripheral guiderails disposed within said chamber for supporting and guiding theadvancing can, a supporting base for said table, eccentric meansconnected with said table for vibrating the table on its base in aneccentric motion to shake the can during the filling operation, andmeans for loosely anchoring said table to its base to permit vibrationof the table. I

3. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing them in cans, the combination of a rotatable carriermember, means for rotating said member, a weighing device mounted onsaid member for rotation therewith for weighing out an individualproduct charge of a weight predetermined by the capacity of a said can,rotatable means for advancing a can along a circular path of travel insubjacent vertical alignment with said weighing device, means rotatablein unison with said carrier member and disposed between said canadvancing means and said weighing device for receiving said weighedproduct charge therefrom, a circular horizontal ring table havingperipheral guide rails thereon disposed adjacent said can advancingmeans for supporting and guiding the advancing can, a supporting basefor said table, eccentric means connected with said table for vibratingsaid table on its base in an eccentric motion to shake the can duringthe filling operation, and means for loosely anchoring said table to itsbase to permit vibration of the table.

4. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing them in cans, the combination of a housing enclosinga vacuumized chamber for receiving and vacuumizing an empty can to befilled and sealed, said housing having spaced entrance openingsprotected by movable valves for separately introducing the can and itscover into said chamber, said housing also having a discharge openingprotected by a valve for discharging the sealed can and cover from saidchamber without impairment of the degree of vacuum maintained in saidchamber, a weighing device supported by said housing exteriorly of saidchamber for weighing out an individual product charge of a weightpredetermined by the capacity of a said can, means disposed between saidweighing device and said chamber for receiving said weighed individualproduct charge from said weighing device, said receiving means havingmeans cooperating therewith for prevacuumizing the received chargetherein and for maintaining such charge in vacuumi ed condition, valvemeans on said receiving means for introducing said prevacuumized productcharge into said chamber and into the can in said chamber, means in saidchamber for receiving the filled can and a cover and for sealing the canwith the cover, and conveyor means within said chamber for advancing thecan and the cover through the chamber for the charge receiving and canfilling, sealing and discharge operations.

5. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing said product charges in cans, the combination of ahousing enclosing a vacuumized chamber for receiving and exhausting airfrom an empty can received therein to be filled with a said productcharge, a weighing device supported cxteriorly of said housing andchamber for weighing out an individual product charge of a weightcommensurate with the volumetric capacity of said can, a valvecontrolled filling head carried by said housing beneath said weighingdevice for receiving at its outer open end said weighed charge from saidweighing device, the inner end of said filling head communicating withthe interior of said chamber, said filling head having meanscommunicating therewith for prevacuumizing said head and charge andhaving valve means thereon for maintaining said head and product chargein a vacuumized condition, and valve means on the inner open end of saidfilling head for discharging said prevacuumized product charge therefromdirectly into a vacuumized can within said chamber for subsequentsealing of the can therein.

6. In a machine for weighing out an individual charge of a product andfor filling and sealing said charge in a can, the combination or ahousing enclosing a vacuumized chamber for receiving and exhausting airfrom an empty can therein to be filled with said weighed charge, aWeighing device supported by said housing on the exterior of saidchamber for weighing out an individual product charge in accordance withthe capacity of said can, a product pre-vacuumizing and filling headdisposed beneath said weighing device and open at its upper end forreceiving therefrom an individual weighed charge of the product, meansfor sealing said individual product charge in said head to excludeoutside air from the head and from said chamber, said filling headcommunicating at its lower end with the interior of said chamber, meanscommunicating with said head for prevacuumizing the product chargetherein while sealed in said head, and valve means in said head forcontrolling the discharge of the pre-vacuumized product charge directlyinto the vacuumized can within said chamber without disturbing thevacuumized chamber conditions.

'7. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product andfor filling and sealing said charges in cans, the combination of ahousing enclosing a vacuumized chamber for receiving and vacuumizing anempty can to be filled with a said product charge, a weighing devicecarried by said housing exteriorly of said chamber for weighing out anindividual product charge in accordance with the capacity of said can, aprevacuumizing and filling head disposed beneath said weighing deviceand communicating at its lower end with said chamber, said headincluding a prevacuumizing bell for directly receiving an individualweighed product charge from said weighing device, valve means in saidhead for sealing the received weighed product charge in said bell toexclude outside air therefrom, vacuumizing means communicating with theinterior of said bell for prevacuumizing the received individual productcharge independently of the vacuumized condition maintained within saidchamber, and other valve means in said filling head for controlling theintroduction of said prevacuumized individual product charge into saidindependently vacuumized chamber and directly into a can therein forsubsequent sealing of the can thus filled.

8.In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing said charges in cans, the combination of a housingenclosing a vacuum chamber for receiving and vacuumizing an empty can tobe filled with a said charge, said housing having an opening therein,

means communicating with said chamber for maintaining it in a vacuumizedcondition, a carrier member movably disposed within said opening forhermetically sealing said chamber, a conveyor within said chamber foradvancing the empty can therethrough, means for moving said carriermember in sealed relation to said opening and for moving said conveyorin timed relation to said carrier member, a we b vice mounted on andmovable with sa d carrier member exteriorly of said chamber for weigh ngout an individual product charge in accordance with the capacity of asaid can for receiving such charge, a combined product prevacuumizingand filling head carried by said carrier member beneath said weighingdevice, said head being disposed in superposed relation to a moving canon said conveyor, said head being disposed in sealed relation to saidchamber and being open at its upper end for receiving an individualweighed charge of'the product from said weighing device, the lower endof said head communicating with the interior of said chamber, means forsealing said individual product charge in said to exclude outside airtherefrom and from said chamber, means communicating with said head forprevacuurnizing the product charge while sealed in said head, and valvemeans in said head for controlling the discharge of the prevacuumizedproduct therefrom directly into the moving vacuumized can within saidvacuumized chamber.

9. In a machine for weighing out individual charges of a product and forfilling and sealing them in cans, the combination of a housing enclosinga vacuumized chamber for receiving and vacuumizing empty cans to befilled with a said charge, said housing having a circular openingsurrounded by a seat, a rotatable carrier member disposed within saidseat for hermetically sealing said chamber, a rotatable turret havingperipheral pockets disposed within said chamber in axial alignment withsaid carrier member for receivmg and advancing the cans in said chamber, means for rotating said carrier member and said turret in unison, aplurality of weighing devices supported by and rotatable with saidcarrier member on the exterior of said chamber, said weighing devicesbeing respectively disposed in vertically spaced relation to said turretpockets for weighing out individual product charges in accordance withthe capacity of a said can, a plurality of product prevacuumizing andfilling heads movable with said carrier member and respectively disposedbetween said weighing devices and said turret pockets, said heads beingopen at their upper ends for directly and respectively receiving weighedcharges of the product from said weighing devices, said filling headscommunicating at their lower ends with the interior of said vacuumizedchamber, means for sealing said individual product charges in said headsto exclude outside air therefrom and from said chamber, meanscommunicating with each of said heads for prevacuurnizing the productcharges while sealed in said heads, and valve means in said heads forcontrolling the gravity discharge of the prevacuumized product chargestherefrom directly into the pocketed and vacuumized cans Within saidvacuumized chamber.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 2,138,356- Ryan et a1 Nov. 29, 1938 2,353,519 Spurr July 194 i

